Qutab Minar, Delhi

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This latest chattri was removed by Viceroy Lord Hardinge in 1848 who objected to the change in architectural style compared to the rest of the minar. The old one has been dubbed as Smith’s folly (the Royal Engineers name) and it sits near the entry

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Unfortunately for safety reasons, visitors are not allowed to climb the tower anymore. Mother nature has played its part in trying to destroy the tower with earthquakes and lightening bolts.Fortunately the minar has survived these and been successfully repaired. The first lightening bolt was in 1368AD and it knocked off the top storey which was replaced by two floors by Firoz Shah Tuglaq. In 1503 more repairs were carried out. In 1803 during an earthquake the cupola on the top fell and unstabled the whole tower. During 1829 a Major of the Royal Engineers replaced the cupola with a Bengal style chhattri.

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The tower is made up of intricate carvings which feature verses from the Quran. Balconies separate some of the shafts and on these bands are inscriptions into the history of the Qutub. Another reason given for perhaps the purpose of this tower was as a lookout for defense purposes.

The first part of the tower was started by Qutb-ud-dinAybak in 1193 but only the base was completed. Iitutmish, the successor continued with the design and added another 3 storeys during his reign. Then along came Firuz Shah Tughlug in 1368 and added the 5th and last storey. During these different periods, the change is style is fairly apparent.

The red sandstone minaret is made up of numerous superposed protrusions and cylindrical shafts. The base measures some 2.3 metres in width and was built on the ruins of Lal Kot, the Red Citadel within the city of Dhillika. This was the capital of the Chauhans and the Jat Tomasrs who was the last Hindu rules of Delhi. The minar is said to be modeled on the Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan but with a quest to surpass it.

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This imposing structure is the tallest brick minaret in the world standing at 72.5 metres (239ft) tall. It is also an important example of Islamic architecture. The structure has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the most famous monument within the complex and one theory is that it was built call people to pray in the mosque.

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The mosque complex comprises a courtyard which was 32.9sqm by 43.2sqm. Qutb-Ud-Din Aibak enclosed the courtyard with walkways and carved columns. There is a huge stone screen which has five tall arches and this was erected in front of the prayer hall. These arches are beautifully carved with inscribed borders and arabesque designs.

Ala-ud-din was a great general and had big ideas on conquering the world. This didn’t quite eventuate. He put together a very ambitious construction programme of building the second tower of victory which would endeavour to be exactly like the Qutab Minar, but twice as high. Unfortunately when he died the tower stood only 27 metres high. Following his death nobody was wanted to continue with his aggressive project and so the incomplete tower stands as it was left, to the north of the Qutab Minar and the mosque.